Best electrical wire connectors ?

[boristhebold]

Recently had an issue with a sterio, no sound, eventually located the fault to the speaker wires that were connected using crimp connectors hidden within some conduit. (it took me a while to find the fault as i wasn't expecting both speakers to go down at the same time), anyway the wires had come aprt from the crimp connectors, presumably due to vibration or thumping over waves.

to cut a long story short what is the best method of hard wiring connections as in soldering or are there any decent crimp type of connectors out there that can hold the wire well and also help reduce corrosion etc.

[ribber]

I'm a great fan of Maplins, order on line free post etc..
Belt and brace obviously weld wires but I just add some silicone in the connectors and also some in the heat shrink sleeves.

Maplin 4.5mm Heat Shrinkable Cable Splicer Red | Maplin

Rolson 127 Piece Heat Shrink Wire Wrap Assortment | Maplin

[jonp]

I've been using these after being recommended them by a marine electrician, there are different brands available.https://www.amazon.com/MONOLIT-Elect.../dp/B01LK2YJQC

You heat them with a lighter that melts the solder in the centre giving the joining wires a very good connection, also heating the outer edges seals the connection making it watertight.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=24FjjIVpk9U

[Erin]

Those Maplin ones are a well recognised Marine type which has never let me down. Make sure you use a decent crimping ratchet that doesn't cut onto the sleeving too much.

[Dirk Diggler]

Originally Posted by jonp

I've been using these after being recommended them by a marine electrician, there are different brands available.https://www.amazon.com/MONOLIT-Elect.../dp/B01LK2YJQC

They're great if you're wiring something on the work bench, but trying to use them whilst upside down in a console is almost impossible.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

They're great if you're wiring something on the work bench, but trying to use them whilst upside down in a console is almost impossible.

[emoji106] I bought some when I was wiring the current BP, but couldn't get on with them. I reverted to heat shrink adhesive lined crimps.

[jonp]

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

They're great if you're wiring something on the work bench, but trying to use them whilst upside down in a console is almost impossible.

I've only ever used them in tight upside down situations on my boats, I'm not able to take my boats to bits to put on a work bench. I new someone would soon find fault, probably someone who has never used them. If I you can fit a crimper into a tight spot I'm sure you can hold a small lighter there too.

[Xk59D]

Lighter in a rib console? That surely is asking for trouble....wouldnt be me!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by jonp

... probably someone who has never used them

Not many people on here will have rigged as many boats or stuck their heads in as many consoles as Dirk.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jonp

I've only ever used them in tight upside down situations on my boats, I'm not able to take my boats to bits to put on a work bench. I new someone would soon find fault, probably someone who has never used them. If I you can fit a crimper into a tight spot I'm sure you can hold a small lighter there too.

Good to see you're still a Pom at heart Jon[emoji1]

[jonp]

My fuel is sealed under floor, so whats the problem in using a lighter in the centre console, the flame doesn't touch anything including the mentioned solder conecter, if I were that paranoid about catching fire to something I wouldn't have an outboard with spark plugs!!! For my live-bait pump connections bellow the water line these have been the only thing to stay watertight, Ive used silicon and heat shrink but eventually water always gets in. These are designed for the marine environment unlike the other products.